Oil containment barrier boom for shorelines/marshes/wetlands

ABSTRACT

This new design/invention is a Continuance-In-Part application Ser. No. 13/068,983 extension of the Oil Containment Barrier Boom for Shorelines/Marshes/Wetlands. 
     The additional advantages of this new Application are: By having an attachment/device filter/frame connected to the original straw bale/burlap modules-offers extra means to filter the oil and other residue contaminants prior to entering the burlap covered straw bale/module, thus extending the useful time and capacity to prevent the oil and other residues from intrusion and the damaging effects to these precious necessary habitat areas. 
     Since the filter frames are hinged and can accommodate either the one or two filters and thus can perform as a single and/or double layer filter in the vertical closed position or in the open extended vertical position for adjustment to conditions, such as slope and depths of the adjourning shorelines/shoals which allow for and prevents the oil and residue i.e., tar balls from going under as well as over the new type barriers.

REFERENCE TO RELATED DISCLOSURES

The present Utility Patent Application includes and is a Continuance-inPart (CIP) of Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/068,983, filed onMay 25, 2011. Additionally, this new Utility Patent Application, alsoclaims the benefit of Provisional application 61/399,036 filed on Jul.6, 2010.

The combined Utility Patents/Applications of Ser. No. 13/068,983,referred to as the First Preferred Embodiment and the CIP of the newApplication, herein, is classified as the Second Preferred Embodiment orBoom II and is an extension of the First Preferred Embodiment, or BoomI.

The First Preferred Embodiment application Ser. No. 13/068,983 has aProjected Publication Date of: Dec. 1, 2011.

A Certificate of Mailing and a self addressed Post Card Receipt areincluded.

Legend for Accessories-Boom H

(1 b) Burlap (biodegradable 10 oz,) fabric

(ff) Wire filter frame epoxy coated/painted steel 11ga. Vertical,10ga.Horizontal *or Equal DelPore™ mesh

(1 f) Fence posts—steel painted ⅛″×2″×7 ft. sections (×2 for 14 ft.extensions)

(1 t) 4 in. Teflon ties, 18 lb. test

(3 s) Teflon straps, 24 in., 175 lb. test

(1 s) Teflon straps, 36 in., 175 lb. test

(1 s) Teflon straps, 48 in., 175 lb. test * optional

Nylon/polypropylene 5/32′ cord, 50 lbs. test

Oil Only Natural Filter Pads/Blankets

Methods of Application, Installation and Disposal

Referring back to the methods of manufacture in the parent applicationwhich are the basic fundamental criteria taught and described in claims1-9, the methods of manufacture, installation and operation as well asdepicted in the drawings, FIGS. 1-6 and are the necessary procedures todevelop further into the following second preferred embodiment resultingin Oil Containment Barrier Boom II in the CIP application offered,herein.

Each individual straw/burlap module lm, that has been constructed foruse as the primary, first preferred embodiment, which is basic toproduce the up-grading to the Boom II product, and has beensecured/fastened with Teflon straps, 3 s, then progresses to having ahinged 1 t double wire, or equal, filter frame ff attached as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, by connecting/fastening the filter frame to the module 1m, with Teflon ties 1 t, to the strapping/fasteners securing the module3 s.

The next step is to insert and secure the filter media/oil blanket, orequal, fm to the filter frame ff with Teflon ties

Obviously, to create a continuous row/chain wall effect, each individualmodule will have to be constructed in a similar fashion as the above, tobe adjourned to another (next) module.

After determining and selecting the appropriate Boom (I or II) for theshoreline/shoals of the marshes, canals and/or bayou's, the installationbegins with transporting the materials and modules by shallow draftboats or mini barges.

In the application of the Boom II with the filter media module of thesecond preferred embodiment FIG. 8A, pre-assembled as described inclaims 12, 13, and 14 a determination is made whether the single module1 m of FIG. 8A or 9A should be installed independently or in groups oftwo or more that will form a chain wall effect as described in the firstpreferred embodiment, claim 4 of the parent Boom I application.

The next step is for a small shallow draft flat boat or skiff totransport the anchoring components, steel or wooden fence posts 1 f tothe desired location of installation and drive same into locations nextto/adjacent to the shorelines by either performing this task from theboat and/or on the shoals that have no grasses without penetrating themarsh/wetlands that could cause damage from walking/trampling on same.

Following the placement of the anchoring devices 1 f, the modules loadedon a flat boat and/or mini shallow draft barge which is equipped with aportable/adjustable crane that can spot the single module FIG. 10A, orFIG. 11A a unit of two or more modules 2 m, or 3 m, for the installationcrew to connect and secure to the anchoring device 1 f by means ofTeflon 3 s strapping and/or nylon cord through the holes in fence postswhich prevents lateral or vertical shifting from the impacts ofwaves/tides with only moderate allowances for same.

Depending on the soil conditions, the depth of the of the anchoringfence posts 1 f (7 ft.) could require additional 7 ft. extensions whichare easily aligned with the manufactured holes, then bolted.

The same multiple manufactured holes in the center of the fence postsare also available and used as attachment devices of the modules 1 m tothe fenceposts 1 f utilizing Teflon straps is or 3 s as needed.

As described, above, in the methods of installation, the use of shallowdraft boats and/or mini barges would also be utilized in the replacementor removal process. The boats mounted with portable cranes and shredderswith the assistance of the small skiff crew would disconnect and removethe modules from their anchors 1 f and filter frames ff and proceed tothe desirable selected sites of the wetlands/marshes whereby therecycling process involving the disposal of the used detoxified andnutrient laden modules can be disposed, either whole or shredded, andblown further into the terraces of the marshes without the trampling ofcrews manually transporting, dragging same across the grasses. Forfurther penetration deeper into the areas, helicopters can drop themodules from baskit's This procedure utilizing the recycled straw for abase foundation of compost for the pumped in river sediment projectsthat will cover and enhance the growth and redevelopment of thesecoastal wetlands that have been eroding from subsidence, tidal surgesfrom storms and hurricanes and rising sea levels for hundreds of years.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

Illustrates the physical dimensions of a standard bale of Bermuda Straw,raw as shipped, baled and aligned to be inserted into a biodegradableburlap receptacle/bag as it is being prepared to be sewn and enclosedwith one end closed as a gusset and the opposite end with a one footloose overlap of the burlap in order to accommodate another bale/modulein order to be joined/connected to form a section of a chain wallbarrier.

FIG. 2

Shows two bales/modules connected and secured with Teflon reinforcedstraps at the joint as well as the entire new section of the extendedmodule bound also both vertically and horizontally and strapped.

FIG. 3

Depicts the connected two bales/modules with a covered overlap ofbiodegradable burlap material secured to each adjacent edge via Teflonties creating an approximate one foot section split evenly forming acontinuous covering for that new extended module.

FIG. 4

Illustrates the newly formed extended module with the covered joint andsecured strapping with the one foot overlap extension of thebiodegradable burlap sack with Teflon ties ready to accommodate anothersection with a closed/gusset end for further extension of a barrierwall, as needed, and preparing for the process of anchoring same to theselected steel or wooden fence posts, securing same to adhere to thecontour of the landscape shorelines.

FIG. 5

Shows a typical extended section of barrier boom for an offset contoursimulation of wetland shoreline/shoals.

FIG. 6

Illustrates a simulation of a section of Boom modules connected togetherand anchored, adjacent to the shoreline of the wetland marshes, to fenceposts.

It is noted that the embodiments described herein in detail forexemplary purposes are of course subject to many different variations instructure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying anddifferent embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventiveconcept (s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made inthe embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptiverequirements of the law, it is understood that the details herein are tobe interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It should also be noted that the general rule is for anyone skilled inthe subject matter should understand and allow for related improvementsand changes that do not change the entire scope and objective of a newinvention without a limiting challenge to its object and intention. Thelatter should include both Provisional and/or Utility patents.

10. The method of claim 5 is designed and served to function as atemporary remedy to treat an average short term oil spill based on daysand weeks and not long term months or years while never an intention ofa permanent containment barrier.
 11. The demand and use of claim 10beyond an average short term oil spill will require the necessarymaintenance and/or replacement of modules proportionate to thelength/time of the disaster.
 12. The second preferred embodiment, an oilcontainment barrier/boom (Boom II) is composed of the basic designs inclaims 1 through 4 and is modified to address and combat conditions toprevent oil and tar balls intrusion in the deeper adjacent depths of themarshes/wetlands shoreline shoals.
 13. The basic module of claim 12 ismodified and affixed with a hinged metal filter frame/receptacle thatprovides single and/or double filter surface area in a closed verticalposition or in an extended vertical open adjusted to depth limitationsdesired of the shoreline shoals.
 14. The design and method of adaptingthe filter rack/frame to the basic bale module of claim 13 is achievedby connecting the metal frame to the Teflon strapping securing the basicmodule that is encased in the biodegradable burlap material.
 15. Themethod of installing the environmentally friendly filter/oil blanket ofclaims 13 and 14 is to secure the desired one layer or two layer filtermedium to the vertical or the extended vertical devices, if opened, withTeflon wire ties that serve to connect the filter to the wire frame inmultiple positions that prevent the slipping/sliding of the filter whileperforming its function; (a) at the time the filter becomes loaded/fullof contaminate and requires changing/replacement the Teflon tiessupporting the filter media are cut with snips allowing for thereplacement filter to be installed in it's place, followed by the sameinitial procedure of installation of same.
 16. The added advantage ofclaim 15; filtering is that the life of the absorbent straw module isextended and reduces replacement tasks in addition to reaching varyingareas and depths while preventing the intrusion of oil/tar balls intothe marshes/wetlands.
 17. The same installation approach that the firstpreferred embodiment incorporates in claim 4, applies and allows forconnecting modules in chain wall fashion and adjusting to the contour ofshorelines/shoals.
 18. As in claim 8, the option to aid buoyancy byincorporating the cork board in the bottom of the module, as required,applies also to the second preferred embodiment; oil containment barrier(Boom II).
 19. Conversely, as opposed to the existing boom ofrubberized/plastic/cylindrical products that were designed to harnessand contain oil residue in the open/deeper waters that required boatdriven assistance and were not applicable for successful use in themarshes/wetlands and inland waters; bayou's and canals. (a) as shownfrom exhibits/pictures they were miserable failures near the shorelinesand posed a threat to further inland damage by allowing oil andcontaminants to go over and under the boom with wind driven waves andtides. (b) there were no major storms and/or hurricanes that obviouslywould have caused extensive damage and penetration from these devices.20. As in claim 19 illustrates and as shown in exhibits/pictures theapproved boom in the specifications did not perform in the wetland areasand was mal suited for those conditions, while in fact, posed a threatfor further damage to the wetlands as compared to either; oilcontainment barrier modules (boom I) or (Boom II) as proposed; (a) sincethe materials used in these modules is environmentally friendly andwould actually enhance the restoring of the wetlands/marshes by servingas a base/compost with microbes and nutrients, if impacted by hurricanesand/or severe storms.